Red Bull Confirms Major 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "natural quickness".
The team has had a plan since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
